President Obama and Southern California Edison (SCE) staged a press event to get a little publicity for the possible future of plug-in cars in America.

Ford has donated an all-electric protoype to SCE for test purposes. Ford sees a lot of electric in their future. Ford plans to bring four new electrified vehicles to market by 2012 including: 1) full battery electric Transit Connect commercial van in 2010; 2) full battery electric passenger car in 2011; 3) next generation hybrid in 2012 4) a plug-In hybrid in 2012. GM plans to bring out its Volt in less than two years if the company survives.

Obama is trying two ways to push electric car sales in America, if you can find one. The federal government now offers up to $7,500 in tax credits for Americans buying electric vehicles. And Obama has begun $2.4-billion grant program, part of his recovery program. Winners would get grants (subsidies) to help increase the manufacturing of batteries in the U.S. Or else build other parts used in electric cars. Currently the high-cost batteries for hybrid or electric cars are all built outside the U.S.

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